How do you hook a dvd recorder to a tv. We have cable.?

Question

I read online that you need to connect it to a cable box. We just have a coaxial connector that comes out of the wall. I can't imagine that you can't just plug that into a dvd recorder. I know it doesn't have a coaxial input but don't they make cords that would plug into a coaxial wall output and connect to the red, yellow, and white connector on the recorder. Please help.

Answer 1

Does your DVD recorder have a built-in tuner?  If it does, it should have an input for the RF cable that's sticking out of your wall.  I would get a RF cable splitter so you could connect the cable to your DVD Recorder and TV at the same time.  This way, the recorder can record one channel, while you're watching another on the TV.  Then just connect the DVD recorder to your TV.  This is basically how most folks had their VCR connected.  The red/white/yellow cables are OK, or if your TV support s-video (better) or component video (best) you should use those for better picture quality.  Check your TV's manual for details on connecting a DVD player, and see what it recommends.  Don't waste money on expensive cables.  You shouldn't need to spend more than $10-20.  Just get them from Walmart.

If your DVD recorder doesn't have a built-in tuner, that makes things trickier.  Basically this means the DVD Recorder can't tune in the stations like your TV does.

There is no cable that converts the RF connector from the wall to the red/white/yellow connectors, and even if there was, you'd still need a tuner to tell the DVD recorder which station you want it to watch (the cable TV cable carries all signals from all channels all at once - the tuner, like your radio's tuner, tells it which specific channel to listen to.)

If you still have an old VCR lying around you COULD use that - connect the RF cable from the wall into the VCR as I described above, then connect the VCR to your DVD recorder with a set of red/white/yellow cables.  Now your VCR is the tuner for the DVD recorder.  Finally, connect the DVD recorder to your TV.  Remember, you need to use the VCR's remote to change the channels on the DVD recorder.

You can record from cable, but you'll have to leave the VCR turned on, and turned to the channel you want to record.  The DVD recorder should be set to record from the INPUT where the VCR is connected.  Alternatively, you COULD actually program the VCR to record the same time and channel as your DVD recorder.   Sounds pretty silly, but it would work.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, there's not a Coaxial to RCA adapter at this time. Weird, huh? You'd figure they'd have that...

1st option: Look to see if your have RCA outputs on your TV - if so, then connect via that option. That will transfer the video and audio signals to your recorder. If not...

Onto the 2nd option: Get a cable box. It's only a few dollars extra on your bill.

If you're hooked up ummm... "for free" LOL - then look on eBay or local trade papers for a box   *make sure it works with your current cable system!

Then there's option 3: Use a good Hi-Fi stereo VCR. Cable coax to your VCR then use coax connection from VCR to TV - Then use the RCA outputs from your VCR to connect to the DVD recorder - this will transfer the video/audio signals to your DVD-R. It reads more complicated than it actually is. LOL

I hope this helps. Good luck!